The cruise industry is growing rapidly, becoming one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism.
No matter how you look at it, the cruise sector is growing. And, with growth comes an increase in claims and disputes.
Given the nature of cruise ships - that they are effectively ‘cities at sea’ - a myriad of claims can arise; from accident and personal injury claims to illnesses and (in the worst instances) fatalities. Claims can also arise from the commercial aspects of cruise liners, including disputes over booking conditions, conditions of carriage, and cabin space agreements etc.
CCM also manage issues or disputes relating to crew – providing pre-employment medicals and occupational health checks.
To further complicate claims, the cruise industry is covered by wide-ranging and occasionally complex regulations, conventions and international agreements. Such agreements that influence the success (or not) of claims include the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, the Strasbourg Convention on the Limitation of Liability of Owners of Inland Navigation Vehicles (CLNI), and the International Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (1976).
We understand that the commercial and financial risks of owning and operating a cruise line can be enormous. Not only can cruise operators be hit directly by claims, but associated costs such as the cost of providing refunds in the event of a casualty situation.
It’s for these reasons that CCM offers a range of services that can assist cruise operators when disputes arise:
- Specialist claims handling
- Global medical evacuations, repatriations and pre-employment checks
- Offshore personal injury
- Legacy claims solutions
- Audits
In assessing and handling claims, CCM always takes a balanced, commercial-minded approach.
Take small claims, for example. Time, effort and costs of defence must be balanced against the cost and potential reputational effect of settlement. Does the effort to defend exceed the outcome risk? These are the questions that CCM is prepared to investigate and answer.
Our cruise clients are many and have included:
- Cruise lines
- Ferry companies
- Tour operators
- Insurers
- Ship managers
We are also able to work alongside in-house legal and insurance teams where appropriate.
Need to defend a cruise-related claim? Then speak to us today. CCM: expert claims management you can trust.